Reading is bracing itself for the latest storms to hit the UK as a severe weather warning has been issued.

Gusts of up to 50 or 60mph are predicted for about lunchtime today, following on from a night of strong winds and heavy rain.

Although there have been no reports of major incidents in town so far today from the fire service, advice from the Met Office remains ‘be careful’.

“We are not in the realm of staying in but it’s clear there is a lot of disruption,” said Barry Gromett of the Met Office.

“If your journey is not particularly necessary, perhaps do not make it.

“But people have to get out and about their businesses – just be careful.”

Mr Gromett said the stormy weather was expected to go on for most of the day with a lull later this evening.

Trains into London are expected to be delayed throughout the day after First Great Western announced this morning a speed restriction of 50 miles per hour would be in place, causing extended journey times.

Further south in Cornwall, people were this morning also bracing themselves for the worst to come by lunchtime.

Neil Scott, who used to be Reading’s Business Improvement District (BID) manager and now lives in vulnerable Truro, this morning told the Evening Post: “I would not have chosen today to go for a coastal walk.

“Here we are bracing ourselves for the peak of the storms for about midday.

“Last night and this morning we have had very strong wind and gusts and the tides have been among the highest I have seen.

“The general feeling here is that the worst is still to come.”

The forecast for today in Reading includes gusts of up to 51mph while wind speed should top 26mph.

Rain is set to dominate the day, although clear spells are expected from the middle of the afternoon.